HYDROGEO.&HYDROCHEM.STUDY OF KARBALA QUADRANGLE SHEET(NI-38-14).

Abstract

The geological outcrops in the area represent Dammam, Euphrates. Nafayl, Fatha, Injana, Zahra, and Dibdiba Formations. In addition to the Quaternary deposits which covered more than 80% of the area. Karbala Quadrangle is considered as apart of two structure zones which are; salman Zone which belongs to stable shelf and includes the western parts of the area, Mesopotamian zone of the unstable shelf. From the topographic point of view the area can be divided into three regions: Mesopotamian plain, Desert plain, and Bahr Al-Najaf and Razaza depression. The climate of the area is under the condition of the western desert which is characterized by cold winter with low rainfall and hot and dry summer. the main groundwater aquifers in the western parts of Injana, Dammam and Umm Eradhuma Formations are considered the area. Injana Formation represents the aquifer within the terregenous deposits if the desert plain. Dammam and UmmEradhuma Formations represents the first and second aquifers within the carbonate rocks respectively. Quaternary deposits of the Mesopotamian plain represent the main aquifer at the eastern parts of the area. The general ground water flow at the western parts of the area is from west to east and from south west to northeast, while at the Mesopotamians plain the groundwater flow is from northwest toward southeast with local diversions. There are areas of high and low piezometric levels. Ground water quality is variable, it is mainly sulphatic in the western parts with some chloridic water in local areas while it is mainly chloridic in the Mesoptamian plain with sulphatic and bicarbonate water in local areas adjacent to rivers and irrigation channels.